之所以…是因为…
HSK 5- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 之所以…是因为… is used to emphasize the cause of a known result, equivalent to "the reason why... is because...".
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This is an emphasis structure for causes that reverses the usual word order. Instead of saying "because A, therefore B," you say "the reason B exists is because A exists."
之所以 (zhī suǒyǐ) comes first to introduce the result or phenomenon. Then, 是因为 (shì yīnwèi) presents the underlying cause that explains that result. This structure gives the sentence greater persuasive force and places stronger emphasis on the reason.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他之所以中文学得好，是因为他很努力。繁: 他之所以中文學得好，是因為他很努力。Tā zhīsuǒyǐ Zhōngwén xué de hǎo, shì yīnwèi tā hěn nǔlì.
The reason he studies Chinese well is because he works very hard.
- 我之所以迟到，是因为路上堵车了。繁: 我之所以遲到，是因為路上堵車了。Wǒ zhīsuǒyǐ chídào, shì yīnwèi lùshang dǔchē le.
The reason I was late is that I got stuck in traffic on the way.
- 她之所以不高兴，是因为考试没考好。繁: 她之所以不高興，是因為考試沒考好。Tā zhīsuǒyǐ bù gāoxìng, shì yīnwèi kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo.
The reason she is unhappy is that she did not do well on the exam.
- 我们之所以选择这家餐厅，是因为菜很好吃。繁: 我們之所以選擇這家餐廳，是因為菜很好吃。Wǒmen zhīsuǒyǐ xuǎnzé zhè jiā cāntīng, shì yīnwèi cài hěn hǎochī.
We chose this restaurant because the food is delicious.
- 他之所以身体健康，是因为他每天都运动。繁: 他之所以身體健康，是因為他每天都運動。Tā zhīsuǒyǐ shēntǐ jiànkāng, shì yīnwèi tā měitiān dōu yùndòng.
The reason he is in good health is because he exercises every day.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:之所以他很努力，是因为他中文学得好。Correct:他之所以中文学得好，是因为他很努力。
The order is reversed. 之所以 goes with the result (studying well), while 是因为 goes with the cause (diligence).
- Wrong:他之所以中文学得好，所以他很努力。Correct:他之所以中文学得好，是因为他很努力。
This is a fixed pair of structures; the second clause must use 是因为 to explain the reason and cannot be replaced with 所以.